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Applications are open for the UNU-International Institute for Global Health (UNU-IIGH) Policy Research Fellow 2025. Click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
Opportunity Details
Over the course of the previous strategic plan (2019-2023), UNU-IIGH has built a significant body of work to advance the integration of rights-based and gender-responsive approaches to health systems and institutions, contributing to the overarching SDG of health for all. Leveraging its position in the Global South and as an interlocutor across multiple stakeholder groups, including government, research and the private sector, through its new strategic plan for 2024-2028 the institute operates across 4 fundamental work packages.
UNU-IIGH is recruiting a policy research fellow for the following 3 work packages each.
1.Gender Equality and Intersectionality: aim to improve the quality of health care through human-centred approaches and to use this as an entry point for health systems strengthening. Two main thematic areas are strengthening human centered health systems and advancing enabling environments for the health workforce.
2. Digital Health Security & Governance: address the colonial legacies and power asymmetries that negatively impact robust digital health governance, identify ways to strengthen health data governance with a particular focus on SRHR and promote diversity in technology design and development.
3. Climate Justice and Determinants of Health:amplify and translate research that demonstrates the inequalities underpinning the health impacts of the climate emergency and highlighting the power asymmetries that determine the capabilities of communities to undertake mitigation and adaptation measures to safeguard against the negative health impacts of the climate emergency. The work package aims to enable fair and justice-oriented arrangements overcoming the climate and health crisis. It will develop critical thinking, platforms, dialogues and capacities for change that redress and transform inequities in climate and health policy.
Under the leadership of the Director and supervision of the respective Research Leads, UNU-IIGH is looking for outstanding researchers for these work packages, who will provide technical input as well as manage selected projects, leading the production of policy-relevant analyses and research, convening critical policy dialogues and developing capacity strengthening initiatives.
Responsibilities
Working on selected projects within the relevant work package, the Policy Research Fellow will:
Lead on selected projects within the relevant work package, and the generation and dissemination of policy-relevant research
Provide technical and managerial leadership for the successful implementation of research and policy engagement activities
Build and manage partnerships with external researchers and partners
Ensure projects produce specified results to the required standard of quality and within the timeline and budget parameters
Contribute to capacity development, knowledge translation and policy dialogue facilitation
Contribute to resource mobilization related to the work package
Participate in international research, policy and outreach events
Supervise policy research associates, PhD students, junior researchers, interns; and
Perform any other tasks as assigned by the Director or Research Leads
The successful candidate will be employed under a PSA contract at P-3 level and no relocation allowances apply. UNU offers an attractive compensation package including an annual net salary in the range of USD59,151.00 - USD62,024.00, commensurate with the experience and qualifications of the candidate. Benefits include 30 days of annual leave and a health insurance scheme.
Required qualifications and experience for the position include:
Master’s degree in a relevant field with a minimum of seven (7) years of relevant progressively senior professional experience, including the management of research, training and policy programmes; or
PhD in a relevant field with a minimum of five (5) years of relevant progressively senior professional experience, including the management of research, training and policy programmes
Demonstrated ability to carry out and manage development research activities in an international environment
Evidence of academic and peer-reviewed publications related to relevant areas of the work packages
Demonstrated track record in international research and policy engagement in areas related to the work package
Evidence of teaching and research supervision experience
Excellent verbal and written skills in English across a range of communication formats (academic publications, programme reports, policy briefs). Knowledge of another official UN language would be an asset
Track record of competitive funding and resource mobilization from national and international funding agencies; and
Excellent team player with strong interpersonal skills and ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
Competencies
Values:
Inclusion - Take action to create an environment of dignity and respect for all, regardless of age, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, geography, grade, language, nationality, racial identity, religion, sex, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, social origin or any other aspect of identity.
Integrity - Act ethically, demonstrating the standards of conduct of the United Nations and taking prompt action in case of witnessing unprofessional or unethical behaviour, or any other breach of UN standards.
Humility - Demonstrate self-awareness and willingness to learn from others.
Humanity - Act according to the purposes of the United Nations: peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet.
Behaviours:
Connect and Collaborate - Build positive relationships with others to advance the work of the United Nations and work coherently as One UN
Analyse and Plan - Seek out and use data from a wide range of sources to understand problems, inform decision-making, propose evidence-based solutions and plan action
Deliver Results with Positive Impact - Hold oneself and others accountable for delivering results and making a positive difference to the people and causes that the United Nations serves
Learn and Develop - Pursue own learning and development and contribute to the learning and development of others
Adapt and Innovate - Demonstrate flexibility, agility and the ability to think and act in novel ways
To apply to UNU, you will not need an account. Instead, they ask that you:
Apply via the application link. Click on the link to the application website to access the link.
fill out the UNU P11 Form (please avoid using similar forms provided by other United Nations organisations or else, will be disqualified);
provide a motivation statement (in the P11 form);
answer a few questions that are tailored to the position, including ranking of which work package you would like to be considered for; and
previous applicants need not apply
You may wish to refer to the UN Values and Behaviours Framework for more information.
Apply for UNU-International Institute for Global Health (UNU-IIGH) Policy Research Fellow